In 2020, Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet starred alongside Saoirse Ronan in the romantic drama Ammonite, a film centered around an intense LGBTQ relationship. The movie, loosely inspired by the life of 19th-century British palaeontologist Mary Anning, explores the evolving connection between Mary and Charlotte, a neglected wife played by Ronan. This film notably brought the topic of Kate Winslet LGBTQ scenes into public discussion during its promotional tour weeks after release.
The Story Behind Ammonite and Its Historical Context
Ammonite features Mary Anning, whose vocation involved selling fossils to tourists in England. After a wealthy archaeologist hires Mary to educate him while also befriending his ailing wife Charlotte, the two women develop a deep bond. The relationship grows further once Charlotte’s husband departs for an extended business trip to Europe, allowing the women to explore their physical affection.
Although the film dramatizes their relationship, historical records show Mary and Charlotte maintained a strong friendship after the husband’s return, supporting each other’s professional achievements through letters rarely acknowledged during that era. The film also stars Gemma Jones and Fiona Shaw in supporting roles that contribute to this historical narrative.
Winslet’s Approach to Filming Nude and Intimate Scenes
During a Variety interview, Winslet explained that her interest in the screenplay was sparked by the depth of the story and the chance to explore intimate relationships between women. She shared,
“I was able to embrace, as part of my research, reading letters and love letters between women.”
Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan took an active role in choreographing their intimate scenes. Winslet described how the two actresses carefully planned the sequences:
“Saoirse and I choreographed the scene ourselves,”
and added humorously,
“It’s definitely not like eating a sandwich.”
She went on to illustrate the methodical nature of their work, saying,
“And I just said to him [director Francis Lee], ‘Listen, let us work it out.’ And we did. ‘We’ll start here. We’ll do this with the kissing, boobs, you go down there, then you do this, then you climb up here.’ I mean, we marked out the beats of the scene so that we were anchored in something that just supported the narrative.”
Public Reaction to Winslet’s Remarks on Intimate Scenes
Despite the careful process behind filming, Winslet’s comparison of the intimate scenes to eating a sandwich attracted confusion and criticism online. Film fans and members of the LGBTQ+ community questioned the analogy, with one Instagram user asking, “What does that mean?” Another asked,
“Who the hell ever said it was like eating a sandwich? So confused why she had to add that.”
A further comment read,
“Who told them it was like eating a sandwich?”
These reactions highlight the varied interpretations of Winslet’s candid remarks about filming LGBTQ scenes.
Winslet Shares Personal Reflections on Early Intimate Experiences
The resurfacing of her comments coincided with Winslet’s recent openness about her early intimate encounters during an episode of the Team Deakins podcast. She revealed that many of her first experiences were with girls, explaining how those moments helped her connect emotionally to her characters. The actress referenced her 1991 role in Heavenly Creatures, where she and Melanie Lynskey portrayed obsessed teenage friends.
Winslet reflected,
“I’ll share something I’ve never shared before, Some of my first intimate experiences as a young teen were actually with girls. I’d kissed a few girls, and I’d kissed a few boys, but I wasn’t particularly evolved in either direction.”
She elaborated that this phase of curiosity helped her understand the powerful connection between her character and Lynskey’s in the film.
Describing the emotional intensity of the story they told, Winslet said,
“I was so immediately sucked into the vortex of that world they were in that obviously became horrendously damaging to both of them, and they had huge insecurities and vulnerabilities.”
The Significance of Winslet’s Candidness on LGBTQ Representation
Kate Winslet’s honest discussions about the filming process of LGBTQ scenes and her personal experiences bring important visibility to the challenges and complexities involved in portraying queer relationships on screen. Her detailed approach to choreographing intimate moments shows a dedication to authenticity and respect for the story’s emotional depth. Meanwhile, her reflections on early experiences reveal a nuanced view of fluidity and identity that resonates with many viewers.
As conversations about LGBTQ representation continue to evolve in the entertainment industry, Winslet’s willingness to share these insights could inspire others to approach such roles with the same thoughtfulness. Fans and critics alike are likely to continue examining the ways actors engage with these narratives, encouraging more sensitive and accurate portrayals in future films.
